central america
Central America, once home to the Mayan Civilization, offers a Wander-worthy mix of old and modern.
Most underrated tourist destinations in the world
Here are some underrated travel destinations around the world that deserve more attention: 1.) Mongolia: Known for its traditional gers (yurts), friendly nomadic people, and herds of wild horses across untouched steppes, Mongolia offers a unique experience. With a new international airport and affordable local-led tours, this seemingly far-flung country is more accessible than you might expect. Explore the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and then venture into the picture-perfect ranges and fresh mountain air of Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Spending a night under the stars in your own ger is an unforgettable experience.
By Allwyn Roman Waghela4 months ago in Wander
Why It’s Impossible Not to Fall in Love with Antigua, Guatemala
I just love that simple magical feeling of arriving somewhere new. Feeling the cobblestone street massage the soles of my feet as I stepped off the bus. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes to the sudden illumination from the colour-drenched colonial one-story buildings. Turning my head to gasp at Volcán de Fuego rising above the city, overlooking its domain below. It was exhaling ominous plumes of cloud-like smoke like a beautiful but dangerous mythical creature, warning you that, yes, I am still active. This incredible volcano was not the only one, several of these fire-breathing dragons swept the outskirts of the city.
By Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel4 months ago in Wander
Visit Central America’s Largest Markets and See the Cutest Creature You Didn’t Know Existed from This Lakeside Town
We had a pretty rocky start to our stay in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. First, we felt a little stranded by our Spanish lessons in our least favourite town on the lake San Pedro, and then in the lovely San Marcos we got struck down with Covid-19 and had to spend our time there isolating.
By Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel5 months ago in Wander
What It’s Really Like to Catch Covid While Traveling. Top Story - February 2024.
I was so excited to go to the little village of San Marcos, on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. It’s a cute hippy enclave, and I was excited to let my hippy flag fly! I’d planned to go to some yoga classes, get a massage, a sound bath, and maybe do some fun workshops. I wanted to swim and go walking every day we were there.
By Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel6 months ago in Wander
Beach Towns Abound in Costa Rica (#5)
A beach (playa) is for soaking up calm experiences and the ones west of Liberia do not disappoint. First up, there are several to choose from. Do you want to see iguanas and have an SUV? Check out Playa Iguanita. Do you like swimming with lots of manta rays, but not crowds of people? If so check out Playa Cabuyal. Do you like a long beach with gorgeous sunsets and an array of restaurants and souvenir shops nearby? If so, check out Playa del Coco. Honestly, there are tons of beaches in Costa Rica, including some secluded ones you can get to by renting a kayak, so take your pick.
By Richard Soulliere6 months ago in Wander
Visiting Nature in Costa Rica (#4)
A staple when soaking up nature in Costa Rican is a hike part way up an active volcano to see gorgeous waterfalls. Paraiso Volcano Lodge, the lodge we stayed at I described in the previous article, was nestled in between two volcanos with a third a reasonable drive away. There is Miravelles, which we skipped but would have loved if we had a whole day to dedicate; then there is Rincon de la Vieja, which I had originally aimed for since it has natural hot springs nearby; and then there is Tenorio, which we did.
By Richard Soulliere6 months ago in Wander
Our Volcanic Accommodations in Costa Rica (#3)
When scouring the Internet for a great place to stay, we knew it had to be inland surrounded by nature as well as within suitable driving distance (under 90 minutes) from a slew of enjoyable activities. We found it at Paraiso Volcano Lodge (paraiso translates to paradise) at the border of the Guanacaste and Alajuela provinces on route 164.
By Richard Soulliere6 months ago in Wander
Zen Driving in Costa Rica (#2)
In my first article about our honeymoon in Costa Rica, I introduced the concept of la pura vida. Here, I provide an example of it by imparting some key details on driving along the streets of Costa Rica, in particular Guanacaste province. And yes, at the time of writing, Canadian driver's licenses were accepted - no special paperwork required.
By Richard Soulliere6 months ago in Wander
From Short Hops to High Skies: Exploring the Quirky World of Airline Travel
Introduction: Life is full of ups and downs, and in the world of airline travel, these experiences can get a little wacky. From the shortest scheduled commercial flight connecting two Scottish islands to the challenges of landing in extreme conditions, the aviation world is filled with fascinating stories. In this article, we'll embark on a journey to explore some of the shortest, quirkiest, and riskiest aspects of airline travel, shedding light on the intricacies of the aviation industry.
By Sanchan Shaju6 months ago in Wander
Introduction of Costa Rica's Pura Vida (#1)
In Costa Rica, there's a saying, "Pura vida." Transliterated, it means "pure life". Is that a philosophy? A euphemism? A relationship? Costa Rica is nowhere near as backward as you might think, so this saying is definitely not a euphemism.
By Richard Soulliere6 months ago in Wander
Travel Hindsight- Why You Shouldn’t Always Go for the Cheapest option
There was one thing I really wanted to do on our Central America trip, that was to take some Spanish classes. I mean Duolingo is all well and good up to a point but I was dying for the fun experience of real life learning. We had been advised to take classes in Guatemala because they have one of the easiest dialects to learn, with a clear accent and slow pace.
By Sh*t Happens - Lost Girl Travel6 months ago in Wander